Algonquin Park Ontario

Algonquin Park is located in Ontario, Canada and it's a premier recreation and conservation area within the province. The park covers 3000 square miles of deciduous and coniferous forests plus it has a diverse ecosystem. Many  mammals, plants, insects, fish, birds and other wild life creatures make their home in Algonquin Park.

The natural environment of Algonquin Park provides activities for backpacking, hiking, boating, camping, skiing, canoeing and dog sledding. Commercial services are made available for park visitors and personnel and educational programs have been made available to schools and daycare centers in and out of the province of Ontario. These are only a few of the many services, programs and commercial opportunities that are offered at Algonquin Park.

Algonquin Park was never settled by the early Native Americans who lived near the area. Most of these tribes passed through this area on their hunting expeditions or when they moved to to new hunting grounds.

For the most part the Algonquin region remained a remote area. It wasn't until the arrival of the British and French that the area began to be used for its wood. Lumber camps were set up in the Algonquin region for this purpose. In 1893 the Algonquin territory was used to protect wildlife and since then it was developed into Ontario's first provincial park.    

Another important aspect of Algonquin Park has to do with its natural resources that are used for civil, ecological and scientific purposes. Government officials maintain the aquatic environment of Algonquin Park in order to supply local municipalities with fresh water. Conservation areas have also been established within Algonquin as well as fisheries. These fisheries not only provide recreation but they're also used for scientific research and discovery. Many other research and conservation programs are made available within this provincial recreational area.  

The park is located in south-central Ontario and highway 60 runs through the south end of the park's area. Highway 17 offers entry points into the park from the east and highway 11 in the west has exit points that also leads to the park.

The town of Whitney, Ontario is the closest municipality to the park in the east and the town of Dwight is the nearest park in the west. Both the east and west entry points are headquarters where visitors can obtain park information and permits. There are close to 30 backcountry access points that run off of highway 60. Backcountry access points allows visitors to enter into the undeveloped regions of the park.

Permits are important for using the park and its services. People must have a day use permit when they visit the park during daytime hours. Since the park can't be easily reached by walking, drivers are usually routed to the permit stations once they enter onto park grounds.

 Camping permits must be used for overnight stays on developed camp grounds and individuals who want to wander through the backcountry of the park must have a permit before they begin their journey.

Fishing requires a license as well as a permit and there are fees associated with various activities. Cabin and yurts are available for overnight stays and they too cost a fee. Algonquin charges fees and uses the money for maintaining the park's grounds and for paying its employees.

Temperatures for Algonquin Park are usually cool or downright cold. During the summer months the hottest average temperature is near 70 degrees Fahrenheit (or 21 degrees Celsius). Visitors should bring the appropriate clothing and gear during their visit especially during the winter months when the temperatures dip well below freezing. Ranger stations are located at the east and west gates.

There is also a restaurant and bookstore on the park's grounds. Algonquin Park is open all year round including holidays and the hours of operation is between 7 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m.